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The Curse on Spectacle Key
A sweetly spooky ghost story about a Cuban American boy who befriends a pair of spirits and tries to break the curse on his island home . . . only to discover a seemingly lost piece of his family’s history in the process. This new middle grade standalone mystery from the author of the Muse Squad series is perfect for fans of Doll Bones and The Girl and the Ghost ! Frank Fernandez’s family never stays in one place for long. His parents renovate unusual buildings and turn them into homes, which means the family moves—a lot. This makes it hard for bookish Frank to make friends. So when his parents announce they’re moving to Spectacle Key, Florida, to live in a lighthouse—this time for good!—Frank is thrilled. But Spectacle Key isn’t the perfect forever home they'd imagined. The lighthouse is falling apart. There are knocks on the door—but no one is there—and mysterious sighs and sniffles from nowhere. There’s even a creepy doll that seems to move on its own. Could Spectacle Key be haunted? Then one day while exploring, Frank meets a girl in old-fashioned clothes, with no memory of who she is. What she does know, though, is that the island is under a curse—and she needs Frank’s help to figure out how to lift it. But what if learning the truth about Spectacle Key means losing the first real friend he’s ever had?
256 pages, Paperback
First published September 6, 2022
About the author
Chantel Acevedo
13 books240 followersCalled "a master storyteller" by Kirkus Reviews, Chantel Acevedo is the author of Love and Ghost Letters, A Falling Star, The Distant Marvels, which was a finalist for the 2016 Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Fiction, and most recently, The Living Infinite, hailed by Booklist as a "vivid and enthralling tale of love and redemption." Her essays have appeared in Vogue and Real Simple, among others. THE MUSE SQUAD: THE CASSANDRA CURSE, is a new middle grade series forthcoming from Balzer + Bray. She is a Professor of English at the University of Miami, where she directs in the MFA program.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
October 5, 2022
It's cute books like this that remind me of not only why I love books in general but why I love middle grade specifically.
This is such a sweet book that discusses why and what the importance is of remembering history and your family history. This also discusses topics of feeling lonely and the importance of friendships and family. And it has some excellent poc representation that I loved seeing in middle grade. And I'm so excited for other little kids to get to see themselves represented in.
There were a few things that were a little predictable from the get go. That being said, there were also some nice surprises that I didn't see coming and throughly enjoyed. The predictability is seriously the only negative critique I could think of. And honestly, with a middle grade I think that comes with the territory some times. Ans there were still pleasant surprises. So even that isn't necessarily "negative."
I just loved this book and all that it stands fir. (I seriously listened to the entirety of the book in one sitting in just a couple of hours.) This was a very much needed, great treat!
P.S. If you're looking for a spooky middle grade this Halloween season, I recommend picking this one up! :)
Thank you so much to the publishers for an audio ARC copy in exchange for an honest review!
This is such a sweet book that discusses why and what the importance is of remembering history and your family history. This also discusses topics of feeling lonely and the importance of friendships and family. And it has some excellent poc representation that I loved seeing in middle grade. And I'm so excited for other little kids to get to see themselves represented in.
There were a few things that were a little predictable from the get go. That being said, there were also some nice surprises that I didn't see coming and throughly enjoyed. The predictability is seriously the only negative critique I could think of. And honestly, with a middle grade I think that comes with the territory some times. Ans there were still pleasant surprises. So even that isn't necessarily "negative."
I just loved this book and all that it stands fir. (I seriously listened to the entirety of the book in one sitting in just a couple of hours.) This was a very much needed, great treat!
P.S. If you're looking for a spooky middle grade this Halloween season, I recommend picking this one up! :)
Thank you so much to the publishers for an audio ARC copy in exchange for an honest review!
October 26, 2023
Entertaining cute listening 🎶🔰
This is a kindle e-book novel from my local library. My first book by this author.
Frank's parents are in the business of buying, fixing up, and selling properties. This means that they move every twelve months. Then they buy a lighthouse on Spectacle Key in the Florida Keys and the fun begins. There is a curse on the lighthouse from a hurricane many years ago. Frank makes friends with the spirits that are freed by learning their name. Then there is a hurricane and life changes for the family.
I would highly recommend this novel and author to 👍 readers of family and friends relationships adventure novels 👍🔰. 2023 😀👒👻🐕☺
This is a kindle e-book novel from my local library. My first book by this author.
Frank's parents are in the business of buying, fixing up, and selling properties. This means that they move every twelve months. Then they buy a lighthouse on Spectacle Key in the Florida Keys and the fun begins. There is a curse on the lighthouse from a hurricane many years ago. Frank makes friends with the spirits that are freed by learning their name. Then there is a hurricane and life changes for the family.
I would highly recommend this novel and author to 👍 readers of family and friends relationships adventure novels 👍🔰. 2023 😀👒👻🐕☺
January 26, 2023
I LOVED this story so much. Atmospheric, spooky, but so much heart at its core. I loved the Muse Squad books by this author, but I may love this even more. On top of being an atmospheric, amazingly spooky MG, it has so many relatable themes & great messages. For kids who have ever had to move around a lot & constantly change schools..can’t keep friends because of that, & end up always feeling the odd one out..this book will help you feel seen for sure. The excitement Frank feels when his parents tell him that the next move back to their home of Florida will be permanent, pulled at my heart strings. You fall for Frank’s character from the word go. The backstory of this lighthouse, & that surrounding area are so intriguing. PLUS, the mystery itself of the girl who appears, the doll, & “snuffles”. So gripping. Everything unfolds beautifully. On the edge of my seat, couldn’t put down, had to keep reading. The more you learn, the more eager you are to learn even more. The twists were so good, & I LOVED how it all came together. Such a great ending. A really hauntingly beautiful read. Thrilling, spooky, amazing characters & writing, great messages..soooooo atmospheric..full of family, friendship, adventure, great messages, & a lot of heart. Mama Z was such a fascinating character, Connie was AMAZING..but my heart belongs to Mary Shelley of course lol. HIGHLY recommend. STUNNING cover by Oriol Vidal too. 💜
October 8, 2022
REVIEW: This book was such a fun read! Though this is written for middle readers, it kept me engaged and entertained. I loved the paranormal aspect (A lighthouse on an island has ghosts, a curse, and a dark history), and as someone who is trying to learn Spanish, I really enjoyed the Spanish phrases woven in throughout the book (I loved translating the words I didn’t know).
As a middle school science teacher, I think this would be a fabulous book to put on my shelf. A touch of spooky, some humor, a kid who LOVES SCIENCE, and a storyline that many of my students might identify with (multilingual homes, being the new kid, no friends, family dynamic issues, etc). I loved seeing the main character attack the problem with a science mindset, and saw it through to the end— and a happy end at that! An avid and quick middle reader could easily read this in a day, but the short chapters make it easy to chunk and read in multiple sessions.
RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
(Rating will also be shared on Instagram @slowerlowerliving soon)
As a middle school science teacher, I think this would be a fabulous book to put on my shelf. A touch of spooky, some humor, a kid who LOVES SCIENCE, and a storyline that many of my students might identify with (multilingual homes, being the new kid, no friends, family dynamic issues, etc). I loved seeing the main character attack the problem with a science mindset, and saw it through to the end— and a happy end at that! An avid and quick middle reader could easily read this in a day, but the short chapters make it easy to chunk and read in multiple sessions.
RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
(Rating will also be shared on Instagram @slowerlowerliving soon)
September 20, 2022
This was such an enjoyable middle grade book. If you’ve ever felt like an outcast, different, or like you didn’t have friends, The Curse on Spectacle Key is the book for you!
Frank’s family moves around… a lot! His parents are remodelers, so once one project is completed, they buy another and move on. He isn’t able to make any long lasting relationships or really get to know anyone, because one day he’ll come home and find out it’s time, yet again, to move.
His parent’s next big project is the lighthouse on Spectacle Key in Key West. A beautiful historic building that’s falling apart and needs some major renovation. Along with all of the work comes a haunting past… and a ghost? Good thing Frank loves ghost stories, because he’s going to have to figure what to do quickly before he’s forced to pick up and move AGAIN!
I felt a kinship to Frank. Not only because we share a name, a love of books, and also that the book was set in Florida (where I live), but because he has such a big heart and a sense of doing what’s right. I wanted him to find friends and feel like he had a home to come back to. He was so sweet and all I wanted was the best for him.
I loved the mystery aspects. You move into a dilapidated historical lighthouse in a quaint town… there is always going to be something wrong. Whether it be the evil lady on the town council, the toilet needing to be fixed, or the ghost living with you… there will always be some sort of adventure to solve all of your problems.
Thank you to Chantel Acevedo for sending me a copy of the eBook in exchange for an honest review.
Frank’s family moves around… a lot! His parents are remodelers, so once one project is completed, they buy another and move on. He isn’t able to make any long lasting relationships or really get to know anyone, because one day he’ll come home and find out it’s time, yet again, to move.
His parent’s next big project is the lighthouse on Spectacle Key in Key West. A beautiful historic building that’s falling apart and needs some major renovation. Along with all of the work comes a haunting past… and a ghost? Good thing Frank loves ghost stories, because he’s going to have to figure what to do quickly before he’s forced to pick up and move AGAIN!
I felt a kinship to Frank. Not only because we share a name, a love of books, and also that the book was set in Florida (where I live), but because he has such a big heart and a sense of doing what’s right. I wanted him to find friends and feel like he had a home to come back to. He was so sweet and all I wanted was the best for him.
I loved the mystery aspects. You move into a dilapidated historical lighthouse in a quaint town… there is always going to be something wrong. Whether it be the evil lady on the town council, the toilet needing to be fixed, or the ghost living with you… there will always be some sort of adventure to solve all of your problems.
Thank you to Chantel Acevedo for sending me a copy of the eBook in exchange for an honest review.
April 11, 2022
This book is a charming story for anyone who's ever had to move around, and who feels like a misfit because of that, and is an overall solid, warm tale for general audiences. A ghost story (or not), The Curse on Spectacle Key brings the reader right into the heart of the story almost immediately and keeps them captivated until the end. Full of warmth, mystery, friends, and family, this one is a keeper (I've already pre-ordered the hard copy for my family)!
My thanks to Harper Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview this title!
My thanks to Harper Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview this title!
Read
March 29, 2023DNF @ 44%
I’ve been trying to finish and honestly I’m just so bored.
I’ve been trying to finish and honestly I’m just so bored.
August 15, 2023
A cute, slightly creepy, middle grade paranormal mystery. I liked the ending though the middle got a little boggy. I loved the setting and couldn’t help but picture myself living in a lighthouse!
Read
February 1, 20232/5 stars
this was just okay. geared toward the youngest middle grade reader, it wasn't for me. hoping it will reach it's target audience!
this was just okay. geared toward the youngest middle grade reader, it wasn't for me. hoping it will reach it's target audience!
May 12, 2024
Another great book to listen to with the kiddos on our adventures !
June 7, 2022
I love the story of Frank and his family and the lighthouse! It was very well written and kept the reader wanting to know more! I did Read the ARC audio and it wasn’t a real narrator: This took away from the characters personalities. I hope they find the perfect person to portray the Cuban Family and all the exciting and crazy things that they experience on Spectacle Key. Recommend for grades 4th-7th.
September 2, 2022
As fifth grade comes to an end Frank Fernandez discovers that the last day of school is the best day of the year. Finally he is spending it in school, enjoying pizza parties and water balloon races instead of at home packing boxes and loading moving trucks. But just as Frank is imagining a summer spent with a new friend, his parents break the news: they have yet again found a renovation opportunity they can’t pass up. This time the Cuban-American family will be rehabbing an abandoned lighthouse in the Florida Keys, near where his mother grew up. Three pieces of good news make the move less of a total disaster - Spectacle Key is near Frank’s beloved grandfather Pop-Pop, the Fernandez’s will never move again, and now that they are settling down Frank is gifted a Great Dane puppy that immediately steals his heart.
But if it seems too good to be true it usually is, and very quickly it becomes obvious to Frank, a lover of horror fiction, that something is very wrong on Spectacle Key: his usually loving parents can’t stop sniping at each other, the lighthouse is besieged by biblical-level plagues, an unscrupulous neighbor is determined to drive them out, and when Frank investigates the abandoned orphanage next door he discovers both a mis-spelled message written in the dust “Help Me, Farnk” and a mysterious white girl his age, who is lost. When it turns out only he can see and touch his new friend, Frank knows something supernatural is going on. Together the two kids set out, determined to get to the bottom of multiple mysteries and find a way to make spooky Spectacle Key Frank’s permanent home.
There are lots of engaging details in Frank’s story and the set up of a rootless, lonely, bookish child discovering and solving a mystery that connects him to a past and a place, is timeless. The friendship between the specter-child and Frank feels real. Unfortunately the mystery and the villains have Scooby-Do level verisimilitude with a page length suited to more mature readers and content. Too many elements are packed in and too much of the plot is the result of supernatural forces that fail to follow a consistent pattern. Frank never quite feels like a real 5th grade child, referring to all the “scary novels” he has at home while longing for a ‘bestest friend’ and recoiling from his puppy’s ‘stinky breath’. Perhaps the odd mix of adult and juvenile vocabulary and a stinky breathed individual from a group known for sweet-breath could all be explained, but these odd authorial choices combined with the pile-on of action, plot devices, and excessive length drag down what should have been a short, fun, shivery read.
But if it seems too good to be true it usually is, and very quickly it becomes obvious to Frank, a lover of horror fiction, that something is very wrong on Spectacle Key: his usually loving parents can’t stop sniping at each other, the lighthouse is besieged by biblical-level plagues, an unscrupulous neighbor is determined to drive them out, and when Frank investigates the abandoned orphanage next door he discovers both a mis-spelled message written in the dust “Help Me, Farnk” and a mysterious white girl his age, who is lost. When it turns out only he can see and touch his new friend, Frank knows something supernatural is going on. Together the two kids set out, determined to get to the bottom of multiple mysteries and find a way to make spooky Spectacle Key Frank’s permanent home.
There are lots of engaging details in Frank’s story and the set up of a rootless, lonely, bookish child discovering and solving a mystery that connects him to a past and a place, is timeless. The friendship between the specter-child and Frank feels real. Unfortunately the mystery and the villains have Scooby-Do level verisimilitude with a page length suited to more mature readers and content. Too many elements are packed in and too much of the plot is the result of supernatural forces that fail to follow a consistent pattern. Frank never quite feels like a real 5th grade child, referring to all the “scary novels” he has at home while longing for a ‘bestest friend’ and recoiling from his puppy’s ‘stinky breath’. Perhaps the odd mix of adult and juvenile vocabulary and a stinky breathed individual from a group known for sweet-breath could all be explained, but these odd authorial choices combined with the pile-on of action, plot devices, and excessive length drag down what should have been a short, fun, shivery read.
September 26, 2022
The Curse on Spectacle Key is a spooky mystery set on a small key in Florida. Kids who enjoy mysteries and slightly spooky stories (nothing too scary in this book) will enjoy reading this book and trying to solve the mysteries.
Frank is excited because it's the last day of school, and for the first time in his life, he's not moving this summer. His parents renovate unique structures and turn them into homes, and they've got a longer project that will let him stay another year in Auburn, Alabama. He makes summer plans with his friend and even gets an invitation to be part of the Junior Librarian Program.
But when he gets home that day, he finds out all his plans are ruined, because someone has bought their current renovation, and they're moving to Florida, Spectacle Key to be exact. His parents promise that this move will be different, because they plan to live in the renovated lighthouse for a long time. They want to be closer to his grandfather, who lives in Miami, and they understand that Frank needs to be at a school longer so he can make friends.
The lighthouse on Spectacle Key is a disaster. It seems everything that could go wrong is going wrong, from mold everywhere and ceiling fans crashing down to the electricity blinking on and off and crabs invading the lighthouse. It has made Frank's parents grumpy, and they're bickering constantly. Frank and his dog, Mary Shelley, go outside to explore, and find the only other structure on their key, an abandoned building. Someone has written, "HELP ME, FARNK" in the sand on the floor, and there's a creepy doll sitting there waiting for them.
The next day, Frank tries an experiment in the abandoned building (no parents to tell him no or fire hazards when there are no furnishings), and the experimental fire gets really out of hand. When the fire goes out, written in the sand is FARNK, FARNK, FARNK, and there's a girl standing beside the test tube that he's never seen before. She doesn't remember her name, or very much about where she came from. And no one can see her but Frank and his dog.
After talking to the local psychic, Frank realizes that the key is cursed, and the only way to make things better is to solve the mystery of who is writing his name (and misspelling it!), who is the girl who only he can see and hear, and who is the lost child whose name needs to be shared to lift the curse.
I enjoyed reading this book. It is a fun mystery and ghost story. Part of the ending wasn't exactly realistic in my view, but I can suspend disbelief for a good story! Thanks to Netgalley for the advance copy of this book.
Frank is excited because it's the last day of school, and for the first time in his life, he's not moving this summer. His parents renovate unique structures and turn them into homes, and they've got a longer project that will let him stay another year in Auburn, Alabama. He makes summer plans with his friend and even gets an invitation to be part of the Junior Librarian Program.
But when he gets home that day, he finds out all his plans are ruined, because someone has bought their current renovation, and they're moving to Florida, Spectacle Key to be exact. His parents promise that this move will be different, because they plan to live in the renovated lighthouse for a long time. They want to be closer to his grandfather, who lives in Miami, and they understand that Frank needs to be at a school longer so he can make friends.
The lighthouse on Spectacle Key is a disaster. It seems everything that could go wrong is going wrong, from mold everywhere and ceiling fans crashing down to the electricity blinking on and off and crabs invading the lighthouse. It has made Frank's parents grumpy, and they're bickering constantly. Frank and his dog, Mary Shelley, go outside to explore, and find the only other structure on their key, an abandoned building. Someone has written, "HELP ME, FARNK" in the sand on the floor, and there's a creepy doll sitting there waiting for them.
The next day, Frank tries an experiment in the abandoned building (no parents to tell him no or fire hazards when there are no furnishings), and the experimental fire gets really out of hand. When the fire goes out, written in the sand is FARNK, FARNK, FARNK, and there's a girl standing beside the test tube that he's never seen before. She doesn't remember her name, or very much about where she came from. And no one can see her but Frank and his dog.
After talking to the local psychic, Frank realizes that the key is cursed, and the only way to make things better is to solve the mystery of who is writing his name (and misspelling it!), who is the girl who only he can see and hear, and who is the lost child whose name needs to be shared to lift the curse.
I enjoyed reading this book. It is a fun mystery and ghost story. Part of the ending wasn't exactly realistic in my view, but I can suspend disbelief for a good story! Thanks to Netgalley for the advance copy of this book.
July 27, 2022
Disclaimer: I received this e-audiobook arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: The Curse of Spectacle Key
Author: Chantel Acevedo
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: Cuban MC
Recommended For...: middle grade readers, horror, paranormal, ghosts, lighthouses
Publication Date: September 6, 2022
Genre: MG Paranormal Horror
Age Relevance: 11+ (death, grief, ghosts, some scary moments)
Explanation of Above: Death and grief are slightly discussed in the book and mentioned. There are ghosts in this book and there are some scary moments that might be a little much for some sensitive readers.
Publisher: Balzar & Bray/HarperTeen
Pages: 256
Synopsis: Frank Fernandez's family never stays in one place for long. His parents renovate unusual buildings and turn them into homes, which means the family moves--a lot. This makes it hard for bookish Frank to make friends. So when his parents announce they're moving to Spectacle Key, Florida, to live in a lighthouse--this time for good!--Frank is thrilled.
But Spectacle Key isn't the perfect forever home they'd imagined. The lighthouse is falling apart. There are knocks on the door--but no one is there--and mysterious sighs and sniffles from nowhere. There's even a creepy doll that seems to move on its own. Could Spectacle Key be haunted?
Then one day while exploring, Frank meets a girl in old-fashioned clothes, with no memory of who she is. What she does know, though, is that the island is under a curse--and she needs Frank's help to figure out how to lift it. But what if learning the truth about Spectacle Key means losing the first real friend he's ever had?
Review: I really loved this sweet horror story! This book is very well written, combining horror, along with some classical horror elements, and messages about the importance of family and community. The book talked about English subtext, which is slightly featured throughout the book, and the MC is a little book nerd, which makes my heart happy. The book also discussed moving and had a lot of fun and comedic writing in it. The character development was well done, the world building was great, and I am now a fan of Chantel Acevedo’s writing!
The only issue I had with the book is that I wish some of the loose ends at the end were talked about. I would have loved to see more about the ghosts!
Verdict: It’s so well done! Highly recommend!
Book: The Curse of Spectacle Key
Author: Chantel Acevedo
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: Cuban MC
Recommended For...: middle grade readers, horror, paranormal, ghosts, lighthouses
Publication Date: September 6, 2022
Genre: MG Paranormal Horror
Age Relevance: 11+ (death, grief, ghosts, some scary moments)
Explanation of Above: Death and grief are slightly discussed in the book and mentioned. There are ghosts in this book and there are some scary moments that might be a little much for some sensitive readers.
Publisher: Balzar & Bray/HarperTeen
Pages: 256
Synopsis: Frank Fernandez's family never stays in one place for long. His parents renovate unusual buildings and turn them into homes, which means the family moves--a lot. This makes it hard for bookish Frank to make friends. So when his parents announce they're moving to Spectacle Key, Florida, to live in a lighthouse--this time for good!--Frank is thrilled.
But Spectacle Key isn't the perfect forever home they'd imagined. The lighthouse is falling apart. There are knocks on the door--but no one is there--and mysterious sighs and sniffles from nowhere. There's even a creepy doll that seems to move on its own. Could Spectacle Key be haunted?
Then one day while exploring, Frank meets a girl in old-fashioned clothes, with no memory of who she is. What she does know, though, is that the island is under a curse--and she needs Frank's help to figure out how to lift it. But what if learning the truth about Spectacle Key means losing the first real friend he's ever had?
Review: I really loved this sweet horror story! This book is very well written, combining horror, along with some classical horror elements, and messages about the importance of family and community. The book talked about English subtext, which is slightly featured throughout the book, and the MC is a little book nerd, which makes my heart happy. The book also discussed moving and had a lot of fun and comedic writing in it. The character development was well done, the world building was great, and I am now a fan of Chantel Acevedo’s writing!
The only issue I had with the book is that I wish some of the loose ends at the end were talked about. I would have loved to see more about the ghosts!
Verdict: It’s so well done! Highly recommend!
October 1, 2022
What a sweetly creepy story! I loved THE CURSE ON SPECTACLE KEY! Even though I knew what was coming (a story about a haunted lighthouse), I was sad for Frank when they had to move from Alabama. It was apparent that he’d basically gotten his hopes up in finally staying in one place, just to have the rug ripped out from under him. That hurt. But the story he wrote for himself on Spectacle Key I think more than made up for what he lost (even though it still hurt a little).
I loved the weaving of genuinely creepy elements, like the mysterious knocking on the door and the moving doll (terrifying, seriously) with something that is more wholesome in Alice, and even Snuffles. Although I have to admit that’s an odd name for a ghost. Granted, when things started going sideways, it created an excellent juxtaposition of a seemingly innocuous name against some rather nasty things happening on the island. It played with my brain a little.
I also loved how the concept of the curse was kind of squishy. Is the island actually cursed, or was it haunted by history doomed to repeat itself if people forgot about it? I guess that is its own kind of curse, right? The curse of oblivion, of not seeing beyond the end of your own nose, whether willfully or otherwise.
Frank’s drive for information was totally relatable, and I loved watching him try to solve problems and sometimes struggle through them. Plans don’t always play out, and Frank learned that the hard way.
And the way Acevedo captured that awkward age where a kid desperately wants to be independent, but when things get tough, they know exactly where to run. That was balanced wonderfully. And how Frank wasn’t alone in the end. The parents were never far from him (kind of rare in young adult and younger books, honestly, not that it’s a problem, it’s just refreshing to see the parents playing an active role in the story) and played an active part in Frank’s life. He had to actively sneak around them and got caught more than once. I guess what I’m saying is there was no distance between them (even though sometimes he felt his parents were a million miles away).
THE CURSE ON SPECTACLE KEY is a great, engaging story that has some seriously creepy elements and balances it with a sweet, and slightly heart-wrenching story about a boy trying to keep history from being forgotten. I can’t recommend it enough.
5
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I loved the weaving of genuinely creepy elements, like the mysterious knocking on the door and the moving doll (terrifying, seriously) with something that is more wholesome in Alice, and even Snuffles. Although I have to admit that’s an odd name for a ghost. Granted, when things started going sideways, it created an excellent juxtaposition of a seemingly innocuous name against some rather nasty things happening on the island. It played with my brain a little.
I also loved how the concept of the curse was kind of squishy. Is the island actually cursed, or was it haunted by history doomed to repeat itself if people forgot about it? I guess that is its own kind of curse, right? The curse of oblivion, of not seeing beyond the end of your own nose, whether willfully or otherwise.
Frank’s drive for information was totally relatable, and I loved watching him try to solve problems and sometimes struggle through them. Plans don’t always play out, and Frank learned that the hard way.
And the way Acevedo captured that awkward age where a kid desperately wants to be independent, but when things get tough, they know exactly where to run. That was balanced wonderfully. And how Frank wasn’t alone in the end. The parents were never far from him (kind of rare in young adult and younger books, honestly, not that it’s a problem, it’s just refreshing to see the parents playing an active role in the story) and played an active part in Frank’s life. He had to actively sneak around them and got caught more than once. I guess what I’m saying is there was no distance between them (even though sometimes he felt his parents were a million miles away).
THE CURSE ON SPECTACLE KEY is a great, engaging story that has some seriously creepy elements and balances it with a sweet, and slightly heart-wrenching story about a boy trying to keep history from being forgotten. I can’t recommend it enough.
5
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
November 2, 2022
Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.
The Curse on Spectacle Key is an engaging and very well written ghost story chapter book for middle grades readers by Chantel Acevedo. Released 6th Sept 2022 by Harper Collins on their Children's imprint, it's 256 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.
This book engaged me from quite literally the first page. The last day of fifth grade, and Frank's looking forward to the summer for the first time. His family's business, renovating and flipping unusual houses generally meant that he'd be moving yet again to start the next school year in yet another town, far away. The characters are written so sympathetically and realistically that I was fully engaged with Frank from the first chapter.
This is also a well told story with a main character who is genuine, kind, honest, and realistically rendered. He has a warm and loving family and a great relationship with his grandfather. He's close with his parents as well and he's Cuban American (his dad's from Cuba). There's a fair bit of Spanish scattered throughout. Words and phrases are self explanatory or defined in context in the text. Representation is important and this is a positive and warm portrayal.
It *is* a ghost story, but the supernatural bits aren't overly scary, in fact they're quite charming, and shouldn't be problematic for kids in the target audience group (8-12ish).
Four and a half stars. This would be a good choice for public and school library acquisition, home reading, and gift giving. Although the target age for readers is stated as 8-12 years, it's an enjoyable read for all ages. The denouement especially has a cool Scooby Doo climax and denouement which I loved.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
The Curse on Spectacle Key is an engaging and very well written ghost story chapter book for middle grades readers by Chantel Acevedo. Released 6th Sept 2022 by Harper Collins on their Children's imprint, it's 256 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.
This book engaged me from quite literally the first page. The last day of fifth grade, and Frank's looking forward to the summer for the first time. His family's business, renovating and flipping unusual houses generally meant that he'd be moving yet again to start the next school year in yet another town, far away. The characters are written so sympathetically and realistically that I was fully engaged with Frank from the first chapter.
This is also a well told story with a main character who is genuine, kind, honest, and realistically rendered. He has a warm and loving family and a great relationship with his grandfather. He's close with his parents as well and he's Cuban American (his dad's from Cuba). There's a fair bit of Spanish scattered throughout. Words and phrases are self explanatory or defined in context in the text. Representation is important and this is a positive and warm portrayal.
It *is* a ghost story, but the supernatural bits aren't overly scary, in fact they're quite charming, and shouldn't be problematic for kids in the target audience group (8-12ish).
Four and a half stars. This would be a good choice for public and school library acquisition, home reading, and gift giving. Although the target age for readers is stated as 8-12 years, it's an enjoyable read for all ages. The denouement especially has a cool Scooby Doo climax and denouement which I loved.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
April 11, 2022
2.5 stars, rounded up. I requested this ARC thinking it was a middle grade book, but I think it's actually aimed at around 3rd through 5th grade readers. I like reading books for that age group as well, but unfortunately this one started out promising and then ended up being mostly a miss for me. I really liked the beginning chapters, the main character is likable and engaging and I liked his family and their unique living situations as well.
But once the creepy elements started, the story fell apart for me. There was just too much going on, too many threads, and so much of it seemed so odd and silly. I felt like the book couldn't quite land on a tone, it was never full on spooky (like Mary Downing Hahn books for this age group, for example) but it also didn't feel completely cozy? There's some depressing backstory for some of the characters that felt at odds with the overall vibe of the book. And there were some elements that were so completely unbelievable and odd that I almost felt like the author was going for a Lemony Snicket type of story, but again, the overall tone didn't match that.
There was just way too much going on. And while I think it's fine to have supernatural elements, they need to make sense, and the reactions of the people in the story should be at least somewhat believable. That just wasn't the case here, at least for me. It was really a shame because I liked the main character and his family so much. I ended up wishing it had been just a realistic story about their move to the lighthouse, or at least a less convoluted ghost story with more believable elements and a firmer grasp on tone.
I do think some young readers might still enjoy it, but overall this fell short for me.
*Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC
But once the creepy elements started, the story fell apart for me. There was just too much going on, too many threads, and so much of it seemed so odd and silly. I felt like the book couldn't quite land on a tone, it was never full on spooky (like Mary Downing Hahn books for this age group, for example) but it also didn't feel completely cozy? There's some depressing backstory for some of the characters that felt at odds with the overall vibe of the book. And there were some elements that were so completely unbelievable and odd that I almost felt like the author was going for a Lemony Snicket type of story, but again, the overall tone didn't match that.
There was just way too much going on. And while I think it's fine to have supernatural elements, they need to make sense, and the reactions of the people in the story should be at least somewhat believable. That just wasn't the case here, at least for me. It was really a shame because I liked the main character and his family so much. I ended up wishing it had been just a realistic story about their move to the lighthouse, or at least a less convoluted ghost story with more believable elements and a firmer grasp on tone.
I do think some young readers might still enjoy it, but overall this fell short for me.
*Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC
June 19, 2022
trigger warning
Despite having been promised they'd stay another year, they move. Again.
The next home is a lighthouse on an otherwise empty Florida key, and weird things start to happen.
Frank's parents - mother born in Florida, father in Cuba - are house flippers. They aquire a house, renovate it, and then sell it for a profit. Since they concentrate on very exciting projects, they go where the job is and end up uprooting their son again and again and again. For this reason, he has trouble making friendships that last. This year was supposed to be different, but well. On to the lighthouse it is.
Since Frank's arguments are valid, his parents wind up making sure he'll have at least one best friend: They adopt a great dane. Mary Shelley stinks, drools, and is adorable.
Since it's summer, he knows nobody in the area and his companion is a giant dog, Frank spends his days exploring the key they now live on, and he notices weird things from day one. Not only is he curious, he wants to solve the case so they can stay and his parents start arguing in a mean way, which they have never done before. It has to be the key. Even the weather is weird.
This book certainly gets bonus points for the most accurate description of a great dane. Beyond that, I can't tell if this was an okay read, or if it's better and I just had a bad day.
Would recommend it to young readers drawn to spooky stuff, which I certainly was and I'd have loved this.
The arc was provided by the publisher.
Despite having been promised they'd stay another year, they move. Again.
The next home is a lighthouse on an otherwise empty Florida key, and weird things start to happen.
Frank's parents - mother born in Florida, father in Cuba - are house flippers. They aquire a house, renovate it, and then sell it for a profit. Since they concentrate on very exciting projects, they go where the job is and end up uprooting their son again and again and again. For this reason, he has trouble making friendships that last. This year was supposed to be different, but well. On to the lighthouse it is.
Since Frank's arguments are valid, his parents wind up making sure he'll have at least one best friend: They adopt a great dane. Mary Shelley stinks, drools, and is adorable.
Since it's summer, he knows nobody in the area and his companion is a giant dog, Frank spends his days exploring the key they now live on, and he notices weird things from day one. Not only is he curious, he wants to solve the case so they can stay and his parents start arguing in a mean way, which they have never done before. It has to be the key. Even the weather is weird.
This book certainly gets bonus points for the most accurate description of a great dane. Beyond that, I can't tell if this was an okay read, or if it's better and I just had a bad day.
Would recommend it to young readers drawn to spooky stuff, which I certainly was and I'd have loved this.
The arc was provided by the publisher.
May 12, 2022
This was a really sweet elementary/middle-grade story. I think this book will appeal more to the younger set, ages 8-12, rather than middle schoolers/teens. The story was creepy enough for young children without scaring the daylights out of them.
As a military family, I also think this will appeal to military kids who are forced to move all over the country numerous times. My own son had been to 6 different schools by the time he was in 7th grade, so I feel like military children will really identify and understand Franks's loneliness and frustration at having to move so often, as well as the terrible feeling of making friends only to have to leave them every couple of years.
I received an ARC of this book (thank you to NetGalley and the publisher), and while there were a few continuity issues I ran into, I won't get into them as I hope they'll be picked up by editors before publishing.
11-year-old Frank is a likable main character. He's a good kid with a good heart and has a happy and loving home life. The setting of the Florida Keys was one I really enjoyed, and I think kids will find it different and a little exotic. The mystery/curse of Spectacle Key was well done, yet terribly sad. I won't give anything away, but the author did a great job of tying everything together, and I think this book will go over well in elementary schools.
As a military family, I also think this will appeal to military kids who are forced to move all over the country numerous times. My own son had been to 6 different schools by the time he was in 7th grade, so I feel like military children will really identify and understand Franks's loneliness and frustration at having to move so often, as well as the terrible feeling of making friends only to have to leave them every couple of years.
I received an ARC of this book (thank you to NetGalley and the publisher), and while there were a few continuity issues I ran into, I won't get into them as I hope they'll be picked up by editors before publishing.
11-year-old Frank is a likable main character. He's a good kid with a good heart and has a happy and loving home life. The setting of the Florida Keys was one I really enjoyed, and I think kids will find it different and a little exotic. The mystery/curse of Spectacle Key was well done, yet terribly sad. I won't give anything away, but the author did a great job of tying everything together, and I think this book will go over well in elementary schools.
April 8, 2022
Frank Fernandez has never lived anyone for longer than a year, but his parents have promised they'll stay in Alabama for two. So when they reveal that they're actually moving over the summer, he's crushed and angry. His parents renovate interesting buildings to turn them into homes, and their newest venture is the lighthouse on Spectacle Key. It's cool. It's remote. And, most importantly, it's haunted. Things just seem to constantly go wrong with the house, and after Frank explores the ruins on the island, things only get weirder-- the doll he brings home moves on its own, there's a weird sniffle and a sweet smell that seem to follow him around, and there's a girl who nobody can see but Frank.
Frank is determined to help this girl, who remembers almost nothing of her life, except that she's eleven years old-- and that she was born in 1921.
Together, the two children investigate the mystery of her past and the strange happenings on Spectacle Key.
I absolutely adored this book and have already recommended it to a friend who I know would love it, as well. It's sweet, funny, and spooky, as well as interesting and well-written. I found myself caught up in the intrigue and couldn't wait to find out the key to the mystery, while simultaneously not wanting the book to end.
Frank is determined to help this girl, who remembers almost nothing of her life, except that she's eleven years old-- and that she was born in 1921.
Together, the two children investigate the mystery of her past and the strange happenings on Spectacle Key.
I absolutely adored this book and have already recommended it to a friend who I know would love it, as well. It's sweet, funny, and spooky, as well as interesting and well-written. I found myself caught up in the intrigue and couldn't wait to find out the key to the mystery, while simultaneously not wanting the book to end.
August 7, 2022
Frank has never stayed in one place for more than a year, so when his parents tell him they've selected a haunted lighthouse as their forever home, Frank is skeptical. All Frank's hopes of making friends and spending time with his beloved grandpa start to crumble when renovations to the lighthouse are hampered by the local historical society and a ghost only Frank and his invisible new friend Connie seem to be able to sense. If Frank, his new puppy, and his "imaginary" friend can't figure out what the ghost wants, there's a good chance Frank's life will be uprooted once again and an important story could be lost forever.
I admit I was expecting something more chilling, but there are enough harrowing escapes and mysterious misadventures in this spooky story to make it a good late-night read—if you don't want to get a lot of sleep. Frank and Connie are really endearing characters. While some of the scenarios are a bit unbelievable (a young Great Dane sitting on command for one), the concept is fascinating and the style well-crafted. This is an excellent story for middle grade readers who enjoy a bit of research with their paranormal mysteries.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this audio ARC. All opinions are my own.
I admit I was expecting something more chilling, but there are enough harrowing escapes and mysterious misadventures in this spooky story to make it a good late-night read—if you don't want to get a lot of sleep. Frank and Connie are really endearing characters. While some of the scenarios are a bit unbelievable (a young Great Dane sitting on command for one), the concept is fascinating and the style well-crafted. This is an excellent story for middle grade readers who enjoy a bit of research with their paranormal mysteries.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this audio ARC. All opinions are my own.
April 5, 2022
Frank's parents restore structures, make them beautiful homes, and flip them. After a decade, they finally decide to settle in a dilapidated lighthouse. Frank is glad he won't have to move again!
The problems begin immediately; freaky weather, things breaking, disappearing tools, normally cheerful renovating parents fighting all the time, and then things get spooky. Like the cloth doll that keeps moving to the windowsill.
But Frank is a scientist. There must be an explanation! Except he can't think of one for the invisible girl he can see and touch--but nobody else can--except his dog.
If you're like Frank, you will hope for less craziness, but kind of expect more. Frank is a smart kid.
This is a fun adventure mystery about eleven year-olds, but entertaining for many ages. It's one of those summertime mysteries that are just tense enough to keep you thinking and interested. I recommend it!
4 Stars
Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for the free preview of this ebook; the review is voluntary.
#TheCurseonSpectacleKey #NetGalley
The problems begin immediately; freaky weather, things breaking, disappearing tools, normally cheerful renovating parents fighting all the time, and then things get spooky. Like the cloth doll that keeps moving to the windowsill.
But Frank is a scientist. There must be an explanation! Except he can't think of one for the invisible girl he can see and touch--but nobody else can--except his dog.
If you're like Frank, you will hope for less craziness, but kind of expect more. Frank is a smart kid.
This is a fun adventure mystery about eleven year-olds, but entertaining for many ages. It's one of those summertime mysteries that are just tense enough to keep you thinking and interested. I recommend it!
4 Stars
Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for the free preview of this ebook; the review is voluntary.
#TheCurseonSpectacleKey #NetGalley
October 24, 2022
We have loved listening to The Curse On Spectacle Key !
Frank is upset with his parents’ continuous moves, their dream of of restoring historical houses and estates never gives him enough time to make friends at school before the next move approaches. But this time it’s even worse - they are living in isolation on Spectacle Key while restoring the lighthouse. Will it be a spot where they could stay for longer ? Is it ok that he’s the only kid on the island ? Things start going wrong almost right from the start… Is the lighthouse haunted ? It turns out no one but him can see his new friend Connie … a ghost adventure develops because Connie is not the only paranormal phenomenon on the island …
This was a great story that had us both engrossed, listening and rooting for Frank - the Florida Keys atmosphere, restoration of historic homes, main characters with Cuban roots and more history - family and otherwise than actual scariness. This was a fabulous ghost story for a Sunday afternoon !
Frank is upset with his parents’ continuous moves, their dream of of restoring historical houses and estates never gives him enough time to make friends at school before the next move approaches. But this time it’s even worse - they are living in isolation on Spectacle Key while restoring the lighthouse. Will it be a spot where they could stay for longer ? Is it ok that he’s the only kid on the island ? Things start going wrong almost right from the start… Is the lighthouse haunted ? It turns out no one but him can see his new friend Connie … a ghost adventure develops because Connie is not the only paranormal phenomenon on the island …
This was a great story that had us both engrossed, listening and rooting for Frank - the Florida Keys atmosphere, restoration of historic homes, main characters with Cuban roots and more history - family and otherwise than actual scariness. This was a fabulous ghost story for a Sunday afternoon !
July 26, 2022
I would like to thank Harper Teen for providing me with an ARC.
I enjoyed this book, but I didn't love it. The characters are fun, and I enjoyed watching them develop. Frank's family moves around a lot due to their renovation business and doesn't have friends when they move to the Florida Keys. Soon after moving into the lighthouse, Frank makes friends with a girl with a mysterious past who doesn't even remember her own name. At the same time, Frank is finding mysterious messages in the sand. His family also begins to fight, and the local people are also unwelcoming to his family. I felt that the tone and pacing of this book was a bit messy. There were several elements in this story I would have liked to have been addressed more as I didn't really feel that many of the story lines were completely wrapped up. Overall, I think that this was a light ghost story that younger readers would enjoy and those who may be a bit nervous of scary stories as this one isn't that intense.
I enjoyed this book, but I didn't love it. The characters are fun, and I enjoyed watching them develop. Frank's family moves around a lot due to their renovation business and doesn't have friends when they move to the Florida Keys. Soon after moving into the lighthouse, Frank makes friends with a girl with a mysterious past who doesn't even remember her own name. At the same time, Frank is finding mysterious messages in the sand. His family also begins to fight, and the local people are also unwelcoming to his family. I felt that the tone and pacing of this book was a bit messy. There were several elements in this story I would have liked to have been addressed more as I didn't really feel that many of the story lines were completely wrapped up. Overall, I think that this was a light ghost story that younger readers would enjoy and those who may be a bit nervous of scary stories as this one isn't that intense.
November 6, 2022
I received a copy of this book for review purposes.
A fun and heartwarming mystery full of humor with a touch of spooky fun and the power of friendship abd family.
All of the characters were wonderfully enjoyable and had their own distinct personalities. Even the creepy doll and family dog have their own personalities. The in-depth background Frank has, from his loneliness from constant moving to his love for reading (especially his spooky books) brings him to life, making him more than just a character in a book.. Frank was so wonderfully written that not only does one care how he feels but one can feel his intense empathy for everyone and thing he meets and interacts with.
A wonderful story with tons of interlocking connections between the people and the location that is exciting to learn as the story unfolds.
Based off this book alone I would pick up any book Chantel Acevedo writes in the future and any of their back list books without hesitation.
A fun and heartwarming mystery full of humor with a touch of spooky fun and the power of friendship abd family.
All of the characters were wonderfully enjoyable and had their own distinct personalities. Even the creepy doll and family dog have their own personalities. The in-depth background Frank has, from his loneliness from constant moving to his love for reading (especially his spooky books) brings him to life, making him more than just a character in a book.. Frank was so wonderfully written that not only does one care how he feels but one can feel his intense empathy for everyone and thing he meets and interacts with.
A wonderful story with tons of interlocking connections between the people and the location that is exciting to learn as the story unfolds.
Based off this book alone I would pick up any book Chantel Acevedo writes in the future and any of their back list books without hesitation.
July 20, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Audio for an advanced audiobook copy of this story to listen to in exchange for an honest review.
This was a well done children's book about a boy who moves around often because of his parents business. Frank grows up reading books but is often pretty lonely. In his newest location in Florida he meets a girl in the oddest of places , soon to find out he is the only one to see her. Slowly a mystery about Spectacle Key unravels and Frank is on a mission to find out the true story and history of the island.
I really enjoyed getting to know Frank and his family. This was a feel good story about a young and lonely boy who learns to make good friends and find a place in his new home.
For young fans of mystery, ghosts and finding friends. Not really scary but may does include ghosts, hurricanes and storms that may be a little scary for kiddos who already are fearful.
This was a well done children's book about a boy who moves around often because of his parents business. Frank grows up reading books but is often pretty lonely. In his newest location in Florida he meets a girl in the oddest of places , soon to find out he is the only one to see her. Slowly a mystery about Spectacle Key unravels and Frank is on a mission to find out the true story and history of the island.
I really enjoyed getting to know Frank and his family. This was a feel good story about a young and lonely boy who learns to make good friends and find a place in his new home.
For young fans of mystery, ghosts and finding friends. Not really scary but may does include ghosts, hurricanes and storms that may be a little scary for kiddos who already are fearful.
July 19, 2022
Frank is an 5th grade Cuban American who’s parents turn old buildings into houses. This has forced them to move each year. Frank love scary stories but when they move to the Florida Keys to redo an old light house he finds out that the spooky could be true. Frank goes on a journey with a new friend to find the history of Spectacle Key along the way.
This is a super cute middle grade mystery adventure book! I enjoyed Frank he was a great character. I do feel like my students could relate to him. His heritage being Cuban American who can speak some Spanish speaks to many. I really enjoyed the Spanish phrases sprinkled through out. He is also a child who moves around each year and making friends hard because “goodbyes are hard”. I also enjoyed the theme of not forgetting the past even the bad because it’s part of who we are.
This is a super cute middle grade mystery adventure book! I enjoyed Frank he was a great character. I do feel like my students could relate to him. His heritage being Cuban American who can speak some Spanish speaks to many. I really enjoyed the Spanish phrases sprinkled through out. He is also a child who moves around each year and making friends hard because “goodbyes are hard”. I also enjoyed the theme of not forgetting the past even the bad because it’s part of who we are.
August 30, 2022
This is a cute middle grade mystery told from the POV of Frank, a 5th grade boy who is really tired of moving around. His family buys and flips houses, but his mom and dad have promised him that the place they are going to next will be their last stop. Frank is elated to hear this news, but when he gets to Spectacle Key, he's a bit disappointed.
Frank soon notices that things aren't quite right on Spectacle Key, and he begins to investigate its history and befriends a few unusual characters along the way. Frank has been hesitant to get too attached to anyone since he is constantly moving, but he quickly attaches to Connie. Together they are determined to lift the curse on Spectacle Key.
This was a fun, easy read and I'll recommend it to my young readers that enjoy mystery and ghost stories. I wasn't a fan of the creepy doll at all and I could see some young readers DNFing this book because of that alone. I listened to the audio version of this book and the narrator was meh.
Special thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ALC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Frank soon notices that things aren't quite right on Spectacle Key, and he begins to investigate its history and befriends a few unusual characters along the way. Frank has been hesitant to get too attached to anyone since he is constantly moving, but he quickly attaches to Connie. Together they are determined to lift the curse on Spectacle Key.
This was a fun, easy read and I'll recommend it to my young readers that enjoy mystery and ghost stories. I wasn't a fan of the creepy doll at all and I could see some young readers DNFing this book because of that alone. I listened to the audio version of this book and the narrator was meh.
Special thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ALC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
December 4, 2022
Did I expect to cry at the end of a middle grade mystery? I did not. But did Chanetl Acevedo make me cry? Bingo.
Frank moves to the Florida Keys with his parents, who have been moving around his entire life, never staying in one place long enough for Frankie to make friends. They promise him it's the last move: they're fixing up an old lighthouse, his maternal grandfather lives nearby, and his mom grew up in the area. Unfortunately, there seems to be a curse on the island of Spectacle Key that Frankie's parents have purchased, the first sign of which is a girl who doesn't remember who she is and seems to be invisible to everyone but Frankie. They embark on a search to discover the truth of Spectacle Key and of the girl.
This is a really sweet, lovely story - with a bit of thrills and chills along the way - about loneliness and friendship and family and ancestry. It's about the importance of remembering history. Even when it hurts. Even when it's uncomfortable. Even when it makes us look bad.
cw: child death, neglect
Frank moves to the Florida Keys with his parents, who have been moving around his entire life, never staying in one place long enough for Frankie to make friends. They promise him it's the last move: they're fixing up an old lighthouse, his maternal grandfather lives nearby, and his mom grew up in the area. Unfortunately, there seems to be a curse on the island of Spectacle Key that Frankie's parents have purchased, the first sign of which is a girl who doesn't remember who she is and seems to be invisible to everyone but Frankie. They embark on a search to discover the truth of Spectacle Key and of the girl.
This is a really sweet, lovely story - with a bit of thrills and chills along the way - about loneliness and friendship and family and ancestry. It's about the importance of remembering history. Even when it hurts. Even when it's uncomfortable. Even when it makes us look bad.
cw: child death, neglect
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